A Hero of the Faith: St. Ignatius of Loyola
If I had become a Catholic priest rather than an Anglican one, I believe I would have tried to be a Jesuit Priest. This Catholic order of priests is the largest in the Catholic Church and was founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. St. Ignatius, and those who become Jesuits, have a high regard for theological education along side moving outside the church walls and going into the world with the message of God’s love. They believe God can be encountered in the everyday life, while working, studying, and advocating for the marginalized.
St. Ignatius, a former Spanish nobleman, redirected his desire for worldly glory into a legacy of active, daily devotion. Over the centuries his name is connected to the spread of theological education and service through the development of The Spiritual Exercises.
As a young man in crisis, Ignatius experienced a profound transformation that altered the course of Christian history. Before this transformation, he loved the high life – chasing prestige, and dreaming of deeds of chivalry. When a cannonball shattered his leg during the Battle of Pamplona, it brought that chapter of his life to a sudden halt.
During his agonizing recovery, Ignatius began reading about the life of Christ and the saints after a nurse gave Him the only reading material available. In those quiet, painful months, he experienced a radical conversion of the heart. He noticed that while daydreaming about worldly honors left him feeling dry and empty, contemplating the love of God filled him with lasting joy and peace. This realization birthed his deep understanding of life in the Spirit -the practice of paying attention to the movements of our own hearts and tuning our ears to the voice of the Creator.
After recovering, Ignatius retreated to the small town of Manresa, Spain, where he spent months in intense prayer. The fruit of this profound season would eventually become The Spiritual Exercises, a manual of meditations and prayers designed to help believers deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. It remains an incredible tool for transformative personal reflection today. (I’m journeying through The Spiritual Exercises myself right now)
Eventually, Ignatius gathered a band of faithful companions at the University of Paris. Together, they formed the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. Rather than remaining isolated, Ignatius envisioned these men as contemplatives in action—individuals who ground their lives in deep prayer and step out into the world to serve others, teach, and spread the Gospel.
It doesn’t surprise me that one of the most effective shelters in Detroit, The Pope Francis Center, was started by the Jesuits. The shelter is directed by a Jesuit Priest named Father Tim McCabe. When our church members volunteer there, Father Tim is often seen doing the daily work of ministering to those in need, even though he is the President and CEO. This inspires other CEO’s to come join him, including the president of Ford, Jim Farley, who has quietly volunteered for decades. These men have raised millions of dollars to care for those who need help just to survive, and millions more for those who are ready to get help.
It also doesn’t surprise me that one of the most beautiful and contemplative retreat centers in the Detroit area (located in Bloomfield Hills) is a ministry of the Jesuits. They have named it Manresa, after the town where St. Ignatius was given the beginnings of The Spiritual Exercises. I have enjoyed many hours sitting with God in this 100 year old Catholic retreat center they generously share with others.
For us today, the legacy of Ignatius is a powerful reminder that our faith is not merely a Sunday morning obligation, but a way of life. He teaches us to recognize the fingerprints of the Holy Spirit in our daily circumstances. When we slow down, open our Bibles, and commit to meaningful, daily prayer, God meets us right where we are. Ignatius challenges us to surrender our own agendas, embrace a posture of sacrificial love, and ask the Lord to guide our steps. As God shapes us through spiritual encounters, we too can step out into our communities as active followers of Christ, looking to bring His light and healing to a hurting world.
Blessings and peace,
Rev. Todd
[For more reading about St. Ignatius and to dive into The Spiritual Exercises yourself, I recommend the book The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the daily exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life]